Wire connector



1942- c. R. PIEPER 2,306,497

WIRE CONNECTOR Filed Feb. 14, 1942 IVENTOR.

CHESTER R.PIEPER BY 614,

' ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 29, 1942 U N i TE D STAT E-"S hi N T O F F C E 2,306,497 wmnconnizcron I Chester R. Pieper, Warrentomltlo.

Application Februa-ryl l, 1942, Serial No. 430,845"

3 Claims; (01. 1734.73)

My invention relatesto clamping devices and hasjparticular reference to improvements in wire connectors or clamps used for joining together electrical conductors.

'Ifhcprincipal object of my. invention is the proyisionofan improved device of this character which'is of simple construction and can be manufactured economically, which is capable of being easily: and quickly applied in clamping relation tothewiresandis relatively small and compact inform so as to minimize the size of the-junction nodule.

More specifically, it is an object of myinvention to provide an electrical connector that is especially well suited for use to connect a-tap or lead-offwire to amain or feeder line or whereever relatively angular disposition of the connected wires at the junction thereof is desirable.

Other objects of my invention'are attained in the provision of a device of this character which has a single movable jaw element for clamping the several wires within the connectorbody which is adapted to adjustitself towires of differentsize, within a limited range," and wherein. the forceinitially-applied-to the clampingmemher is greatlymultiplied-in its grippingandholding efi'ect on the wires'clamped within the connectorbody;

With these objectsin view, my invention consists'in'thenovel construction, arrangement and combination of parts as will hereinafter be fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing illustrating a presently preferred embodiment of my invention, Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a connector made in accordance with my invention and is shown in its operative relation to the clamped wires; Fig. 2 is a front elevational view thereof; Fig. 3 is a bottom plan thereof; Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken at line 4--4 of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken at line 55 of Fig. 1, and Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section of the conhector device of Fig. 1, with the clamping parts of the connector shown in relative position to receive the wires.

The device of my invention, generally described, comprises a body member having spaced, fixed jaw portions disposed to receive the wires therebetween. A movable clamping element fits in the body between the wires and these are clamped individually,.each between one of the body jaws and one side of the intermediate clamping element. The said element has a relatively enlarged opening inithe end of, the body and carries a nut on its outer end portion. The opposedIwire-engaging surfaces of the. movable clamping element are of relatively convergent trend, one thereof'being inclined to the axis of the threaded stern so that when the nut is turned to draw the clamping element inwardly of the connector body to engage the wirespositi-oned against the fixedjaws, the saidinclined surface exerts a wedging force on its adjacent conductor and the-element is thereby caused to shiftlaterally to efiect a clamping of the second conductor against the jaw adjacent thereto. In thismanner anddue to the wedge action extremely large clamping forces are obtained and these are applied and distributed equally to the conductors.

Describing-now the-electrical connector of my invention in greater detail and with reference to the connector illustrated in the accompanying drawing, the body member of the device comprises a base portion I which is provided with a generally oval or-somewhat elongated opening 2. Formed on base I at one side of the-opening 2 isa fiange-like projection 3 which extends rectilinearly across the inner face along oneside margin of the base part. The flange 3'constitutes a rigid stationary jaw and is adapted to position and have clamped against its inner surface awire, 30

designated A, that extends transversely of the connector-body. As bestappears from Fig.4 the flange 3 provides a seat at its base for wire A and such wire seat extends perpendicularly of the longer axis of opening 2. The base portion l is further provided with a circumferential flange 4 which is obliquely truncated as shown so as to have a relatively long central section 5 that lies diametrically opposite flange 3, and wing portions 6 that decrease gradually in length and merge with the base part I near the opposite ends of flange 3. It will appear that the central section 5 of flange 4 is considerably longer than flange 3, being of suflicient length to obtain a firm grip on a longitudinally extending wire B whose end is shown to abut the inner face of the base part I. To aid in positioning the wire B a relatively shallow groove or wire seat 1 is shown provided in the inner face of flange 4.

Describing now the movable clamping member of theassembly, such member comprises a head portion 8 and a threaded stem 9 that extends through the opening 2 in the connector body;

At its outer end head portion 8 presents an oblique end surface I0 so that one side face of threaded stem that projects loosely through a the head portion is longer than the other, each of these side faces being substantially of a length to correspond to the length of the confronting fixed jaw or flange section with which it coacts. The side surface ll facing jaw 3 is inclined so as to face obliquely toward the base of jaw 3, the inclined side surface II and end surface It) converging to form a nose or horizontal edge l2 which is adapted to protrude over the side of wire A. The opposite side of the clamping head 8 is provided with a longitudinal groove l3 in complementary relation to groove 1 in the formation of a seat for wire B.

Threaded on stem portion 9 to seat against the flat outer surface M of the base I is a clamping nut [5, the extremity of stem 9 being suitably enlarged as indicated at IE to prevent complete removal of the nut and separation of the several parts of the connector.

It will be comprehended that the normally loose relationship between the body and movable clamping element and particularly the ability of said element to move toward and from the fixed jaw portions due to the elongated opening 2 enables the clamping portions of the connector to become adjusted to suit the wires being engaged. It will appear further that as the clamping head is drawn inwardly of the body under the influence of nut l the inclined surface ll bears upon wire A and there is produced in the clamping head a force tending to shift the same laterally into clamping relation with wire B. Such shifting will continue until the lateral clamping forces are suitably equalized and thereafter the clamping head acts in the manner of a wedge to clamp the wires in their respective wire seats. By compounding the screw thread action of the nut I5 on stem 9 with the wedge action of the clamping head on the wires, as herein described, extremely high clamping pressures may be brought to bear on the wires by the application of only a moderate force on the nut.

From the foregoing description it will appear that the connector of my invention provides a simple, yet highly effective device and in all respects attains objects and purposes herein set forth.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an electrical connector, a body member comprising an apertured base part having a rectilinear flange at one side providing a transverse Wire seat, and a curvilinear flange at the opposite side forming a longitudinal wire seat, a clamping element disposed between said flanges and having a threaded stem extending through the base aperture, said base aperture being elongated to permit adjustment of the clamping element in directions transversely of the wire seats, said clampingelement further having an inclined wire-engaging surface facing said rectilinear body flange, and a longitudinal groove facing said curvilinear body flange, and a nut on said threaded stem for drawing said element wedgingly into clamping engagement with wires disposed in said wire seats.

2. In an electrical connector, a body member comprising an apertured base having a flange at one side and a relatively longer, channel-shaped flange at the opposite side thereof, a movable clamping element having a threaded stem extending through the aperture in said base, said base aperture being elongated to permit of lateral adjustment of the clamping element transversely of said flanges, said element extending laterally into the channel of said channel-shaped flange and adapted to clamp a wire longitudinally therein, said element being formed at its opposite side with an oblique, wire-engaging surface facing toward the inner end of said short flange and adapted to clamp a second wire against said short flange, and a nut on said stem for drawing said clamping element inwardly of the body effectually to wedge said element between wires disposed on said flanges.

3. In anelectrical connector, a body member comprising an apertured base part having a short flange extending transversely at one side and a relatively longer flange at the opposite side thereof, a clamping element between said flanges and having a threaded stem extending loosely through the aperture in said base whereby said element is movable laterally, toward and from said flanges, said element having a longitudinal wire-positioning groove, facing said longer flange, and a longitudinally inclined wire-engaging surface facing said shorter flange, and a nut on said threaded stem for drawing said element inwardly of the body member, said element being adapted wedgingly to clamp wires against said body flanges.

CHESTER R. PIEPER. 

